Korean robot aims for nuclear decommissioning market
The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute has transferred the technology behind Armstrong, its dual-arm robot which can move up to 200 kilograms, to robot company Victex, which aims to develop models targeting the nuclear decommissioning market.
The terms of the technology transfer is KRW180 million (USD125,000) and 3% of sales revenue, and the transfer includes the manipulator that acts as the arm, the control system and remote control technology. It also includes five patents as well as blueprints, programmes and operating technologies. Victex plans to develop a decontamination robot platform by combining its radioactive waste hybrid decontamination technology with Armstrong's robot technology
A research team led by Jong-Won Park has been working on developing robots for nuclear disaster response and recovery work since 2015 and the Armstrong robot was deployed in 2024 for government-led disaster response training in 2024. A separate agreement with Korea Expressway Corporation was signed last year which aims to commercialise the robot technology for unmanned operation in high-risk environments such as highways.
The Armstrong robot has caterpillar tracks, allowing it to move in rough terrain and can be equipped with a variety of tools and can undertake complex movements.
Joo Han-kyu, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) president, said: "This technology transfer is an important case of cutting-edge robotics technology being applied to the nuclear power plant decommissioning field. We will continue to work to expand nuclear robotics technology to other industries."
KAERI said that Victex plans to combine its radioactive waste hybrid decontamination technology with Armstrong's robot technology and develop robots for use at nuclear power plant dismantling sites, for tasks such as decontamination, cutting and transporting hazardous materials.
There have been rapid developments in the abilities of robots and their potential applications in recent years and their role is particularly valuable in environments that are hostile for humans to work in. KAERI said that although South Korea's domestic nuclear power plant dismantling industry was just entering its initial stages there was "great growth potential in the global market".
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